On Dec. 10, 2022, 12 Grrrl powered bands are coming together to perform at Covers for Cover 2022. The annual event is taking place at Lincoln Hall and each $40 ticket – that’s less than $3.50 a band (!!!) – directly supports Chicago Abortion Fund and its mission to provide resources to people supporting abortion care in Chicago, Illinois, and the greater Midwest while also affirming a person’s right to bodily autonomy.
She’s Crafty, the Chicago-based Beastie Boys cover band comprised of MCAmy (Amy Sumpter), MagRock (Maggie Tomasek), Ken D (Kendra Stevens), and DJ ENRG (Erica Reid), is among the most-highly anticipated acts of the night. In advance of this special show, Maggie and Kendra shared their excitement to see all of the bands perform, support an important cause, and fight for your right to party.***
(*** Party, in this case, is defined as an individual’s right to bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom.)
Kendra explained that from the moment the band was asked to perform at Covers for Cover, they all knew it was a “no-brainer.”
“It’s really important to us to support reproductive rights and justice. It also sounds like a really fun event. We know that abortion funds are the best way to help people who are seeking abortion care the most direct way. So, the more money we can raise and give, the better,” she said later adding, “Your dollars are going directly to helping people. You’re going to have a lot of fun. You’re going to see a lot of things that will only exist and be seen that night and you deserve that break after Thanksgiving with your relatives.”
Maggie echoed Kendra’s excitement, noting that the event is a perfect pairing with She’s Crafty.
“We can use our platform and our reach to try and make a difference, try and make an impact,” said Kendra. “Covers for Cover is the perfect pairing for that. We also like to have a lot of fun. I know we made it sound a little bit serious, but we’re really proud of the work that we do and we’re really proud of the good time that we have on stage too that we can bring to the event.”
Along with She’s Crafty performing the songs of the Beastie Boys, the event features a stellar lineup that includes The Gingers (Motley Crue), The Lizzo Project (Lizzo), Lillian Pollack (Adele), A.Bunch of Friends (Rage Against the Machine), and many more. Clamor and Lace Noise Brigade, a group who has collaborated with She’s Crafty in the past, are also on the bill.
“They are a giant brass band and they are going to be doing, Lady Divas,” said Maggie. “I’m very excited to see what that’s going to be.’
On top of a night full of fun, supporting Chicago Abortion Fund is one of the driving forces for the artists and audience in participation with Covers for Cover. Not only does the organization support people accessing care locally, but, as stated on its website, in the first three months of 2022 over 80% of their grantees came from out-of-state.
“Chicago Abortion Fund helps folks in the state of Illinois seeking abortions, but a big part of what they’ve been doing recently is helping folks who come from out of state,” said Maggie who has previously volunteered with Midwest Access Coalition. “The overwhelming majority of the people that they’re helping now are coming from other states where abortion restrictions are pretty dire. It’s really amazing for Chicago Abortion Fund to help ease some of that. Illinois can kind of be a safe haven, for now – there’s a lot of national threats to abortion rights right now which is why it’s so important that funds like Chicago Abortion Fund exist.”
She’s Crafty – which celebrated 10 years of music earlier this year – always loves playing Beastie Boys tracks. Events, like Covers for Cover, also give them an opportunity to follow in the trio’s commitment to supporting the causes they believe in and pursuing growth as people and artists.
“For me personally, part of what I really loved about the Beastie Boys is the way that they evolved and they started speaking out. It was really meaningful to see that. You don’t always see that with bands and you don’t always see that with a band that has ‘Girls’ on their first album,” said Kendra. “It’s really important – like Maggie said – to use our platform to speak up because that’s who we are as people and being inspired by the Beastie Boys to do so makes it even more meaningful to speak up and do a song like ‘Alive” or share lyrics that we change to talk about current issues or things we believe in. It makes it mean a lot more as well as being very fun.”
Good fun for a good cause sounds like the perfect gift for music fans to give themselves and their friends this season.
“The holiday season is in full swing. You’ll have the choice of a lot of things that you can do – holiday parties and things – but this is a one-night-only extravaganza. There is probably some things from She’s Crafty that are going to be one-night-only too,” said Maggie. “You can come see She’s Crafty anytime, but the show that we’ll be putting on for Covers for Cover will be a unique one that you won’t be able to see any other time.”
Don’t miss She’s Crafty and 11 more bands when they perform at Covers for Cover at Lincoln Hall in Chicago on Dec. 10. Click here to pick-up tickets and head over to Shescraftychi.com to keep up with the band.
Learn more about supporting and donating to Chicago Abortion Fund at Chicagoabortionfund.org.